Chapter 2: The Court System

©2001 West Legal Studies in Business. All Rights Reserved.1

Chapter 2:Chapter 2:The Court SystemThe Court System


§1: §1: Judicial ReviewJudicial Review

Judicial Review was established in Marbury v. Madison (1803):

“It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is….”

Today the judicial power is exercised by both federal and state courts.

http://www2.law.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/foliocgi.exe/historic/query=%5BGroup+5+U.S.+137:%5D(%5BLevel+Case+Citation:%5D%7C%5BGroup+citemenu:%5D)/doc/%7B@1%7D/hit_headings/words=4/hits_only?


§ 2: § 2: JurisdictionJurisdiction

“Juris” (law) “diction” (to speak) is the power of a court to hear a dispute and to “speak the law” into a controversy and render a verdict that is legally binding on the parties to the dispute.


Types of Jurisdiction-StateTypes of Jurisdiction-State

• In Personam Jurisdiction.• In Rem Jurisdiction.• Quasi In Rem Jurisdiction.• Subject Matter Jurisdiction.• Amount in Controversy.• Concurrent.


In Personam or In Personam or “Personal” Jurisdiction“Personal” Jurisdiction

• Power of a court to compel the presence of the parties (including corporations) to a dispute to appear before the court and litigate.

• Courts use long-arm statutes for non-resident parties based on “minimum contacts” with state.

• Case 2.1: Cole v. Mileti (1998).

http://www.law.emory.edu/6circuit/jan98/98a0008p.06.html


In RemIn Rem Jurisdiction Jurisdiction

The power to decide issues relating to property, whether the property is real, personal, tangible, or intangible. A court generally has in rem jurisdiction over any property situated within its geographical borders.


Quasi-in RemQuasi-in Rem Jurisdiction Jurisdiction

Limited in personam jurisdiction over an absent person by asserting in rem jurisdiction over any of the absent person’s property which is situated within the state in which the action is filed.


Other JurisdictionOther Jurisdiction

• Courts can also exercise jurisdiction over:– The Subject Matter of the Case (e.g.,

bankruptcy, family or criminal cases).– The Amount in Controversy (the amount

of damages)– Original and Appellate.


Federal Court JurisdictionFederal Court Jurisdiction

• “Federal Question” cases involve rights or obligations of a party that are created or defined by some federal law.

• “Diversity” cases exist where:– The parties are not from the same state, and– The amount in controversy is greater than

$75,000.


VenueVenue

• Venue is concerned with the most appropriate location for the trial.

• Generally, proper venue is whether the injury occurred.


StandingStanding

• In order to bring a lawsuit, a party must have “standing” to sue.

• Standing is sufficient “stake” in the controversy; party must have suffered a legal injury.– Case 2.2: Friends

of the Earth vs. Crown Central Petroleum (1996).

http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/95/95-40835-cv0.htm




§ 3: § 3: State and Federal State and Federal Court SystemsCourt Systems

Ct. Criminal Appeals

SupremeCourt

Court ofAppeals

District Court County Court

Municipal Court

JusticeCourt

Texas CourtsU.S. Supreme

Court

Circuit Courts ofAppeals

U.S. DistrictCourt

Federal Courts


Trial CourtsTrial Courts• “Courts of record”-court reporters.• Opening and closing arguments.• Juries are selected.• Evidence, such as witness testimony, physical

objects, documents, and pictures, is introduced.

• Witnesses are examined and cross-examined.• Verdicts and Judgments are rendered.


Appellate CourtsAppellate Courts

• Middle level of the court systems.• Review proceedings conducted in the trial

court to determine whether the trial was according to the procedural and substantive rules of law.

• Generally, appellate courts will consider questions of law, but not questions of fact.


Supreme Courts Supreme Courts

• Also known as courts of last resort.• The two most fundamental ways to have

your case heard in a supreme court are:– Appeals of Right.– By Writ of Certiorari.

• See the U.S. Supreme Court (official site) and Oyez! Oyez! Site; and the Texas Supreme Court.

http://supremecourtus.gov/

http://oyez.nwu.edu/

http://www.supreme.courts.state.tx.us/


§4: Judicial Procedures —§4: Judicial Procedures —Following a Case Following a Case

through the Courts through the Courts American and English court systems follow the adversarial system of justice.


Procedural RulesProcedural Rules

Court systems developed around the common law concept of “due process” which requires adequate notice and a fair and impartial hearing.


Stages of LitigationStages of Litigation

• Pleadings• Discovery• Pre-Trial• Trial• Post-Trial


Litigation- PleadingsLitigation- Pleadings

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Pleadings // Discovery // Pre-Trial // Trial // Post


PleadingsPleadings

• Consult an Attorney.• Prepare Pleadings.

– File Petition/Complaint.» Court acquires jurisdiction over subject

matter and Plaintiff.» Facts: what happened?» Prayer: Court relief.


Pleadings-Service of ProcessPleadings-Service of Process

• Defendant served with Complaint and Summons.

• Court acquires Personal Jurisdiction over Defendant (person or corporation).

• Corporate Defendants served via Registered Agent.


Pleadings-AnswerPleadings-Answer

• The Answer is the Defendant’s response to the allegations stated in the Plaintiff’s Complaint.

• In the Answer, the Defendant must specifically admit or deny each allegation in the Complaint.


Pleadings-AnswerPleadings-Answer

Defendant’s Answer:– May state General Denial.

– Move for Change of Venue.

– Allege Affirmative Defenses.

– Counter Claim against Plaintiff.


Answer-Affirmative DefenseAnswer-Affirmative Defense

Defenses in which the defendant essentially claims that even if all of the plaintiff’s allegations are true, the plaintiff cannot win because there is a more powerful law on the defendant’s side that will allow the defendant to win.


Answer--Affirmative Defense Answer--Affirmative Defense

• Fraud is an example of an affirmative defense that might be asserted in a breach of contract case.

• Burden of proof is on the Defendant to show fraud actually took place.


Answer-Counter ClaimAnswer-Counter Claim

A counterclaim is a lawsuit filed by the defendant against the plaintiff, in response to the original complaint.


Answer-Motion to DismissAnswer-Motion to Dismiss

Defendant can move the Court to dismiss the Action for various reasons, such as: – The Court lacks jurisdiction.– The Plaintiff has failed to make all of the

allegations, in his Complaint, that the law requires (i.e., the plaintiff has failed to state a cause of action).


Pleadings-Answer Pleadings-Answer

• Motion to Dismiss.• Motion for Judgment on Pleadings.• Motion for Summary Judgment.

– Case 3.1: Ausley v. Bishop (1999).


Litigation- DiscoveryLitigation- Discovery



DiscoveryDiscovery

Discovery is the process by which parties obtain information from the opposing party prior to trial. Various tools are used:– Depositions & Interrogatories.– Requests for Admissions.– Requests for Production Of Documents, Object

and Entry.


Litigation- Pre-TrialLitigation- Pre-Trial



Litigation-Pre-TrialLitigation-Pre-Trial

• Mediation-Arbitration.• Disposition Without Trial:

– Default Judgments.– Dismissals (With/Without Prejudice).– Summary Judgment.– Settlement

• Pre-Trial Orders (ex:TRO, In Limine).


Litigation- TrialLitigation- Trial



The TrialThe Trial

• Trial is fundamentally an evidence presentation and authentication procedure.

• To prevail, Plaintiff must introduce a preponderance of competent, relevant evidence with respect to each disputed allegation in order to prove it.


The Trial The Trial [2][2]

The Defendant will attempt to introduce a preponderance of competent evidence to disprove at least one of the disputed allegations.



• Bench Trial (no jury).• Jury Selection process involves:

– Voire Dire;– Challenges to biased jurors;– Pick and Impanel the Jury; and– Selection of an Alternate Juror.



• Opening Statements (Plaintiff first).• Plaintiff’s Case--Evidence:

– Witnesses- Direct examination vs. Cross X.– Admissibility of evidence decided by judge.

Parties object to admission of evidence and judge decides, as a matter of law, whether evidence may be admitted into the trial.



• Plaintiff’s Case (cont’d). – Party may impeach the testimony or credibility

of opposing witness by showing prior inconsistent statements and/or perjury.

• Defendant’s Case is next. • Closing Arguments (Plaintiff first).• Jury Instructions, Deliberations and Verdict.



• Verdict:– Criminal case--burden of proof is “beyond a

reasonable doubt” and the verdict (for guilty or acquittal) must be unanimous. If not, mistrial/hung jury.

– Civil Cases—generally, burden of proof is by “preponderance” of the evidence and a majority of jurors must agree on verdict. If not, then mistrial/ hung jury.


Litigation- Post TrialLitigation- Post Trial



Post TrialPost Trial

• Judgment: Jury verdict is entered by the Clerk of Court.

• A party may move for a New Trial.– Case 3.2: LeBlanc v. American Honda (1997).

• A party may file a Motion for Judgment N.O.V..

• Sentencing (criminal).


Post Trial-EnforcementPost Trial-Enforcement

• Once a judgment becomes final (i.e., subject to no further judicial review) the defendant is legally required to comply with its terms.

• Defendants who will not voluntarily comply with a judgment can be compelled to do so by seizure and sale of the Defendant’s assets.


Post Trial-AppealPost Trial-Appeal• A party may appeal not only the jury’s verdict by

any legal issue, motion or court ruling during the trial.

• The party filing the appeal (Appellant) files a brief that contains a short statement of the facts, issues, rulings by the trial court, grounds to reverse the judgment, applicable law and arguments on Appellant’s behalf.

• Appeals court can affirm (agree with) or reverse (disagree with) the lower court’s decision.


Law on the WebLaw on the Web• Federal Court Locator at Villanova U..• Oyez! Oyez! U.S. Supreme Court website.• Federal Court System.• National Center for State Courts.• Rules of Civil Procedure at Cornell U..• Rules of Professional Conduct.• Legal Research Exercises on the Web.


ComplaintComplaint

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SummonsSummons

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Chapter 2: The Court System

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